Fencing



March 24, 1970 c. E. BISHOP 3,502,303

FENCING Filed Oct. 31, 1968 United States Patent 3,502,303 FENCINGCharles Edward Bishop, Box 137, Minyip 3392, Victoria, Australia FiledOct. 31, 1968, Ser. No. 772,153 Claims priority, application Australia,Nov. 7, 1967,

Int. Cl. E04h 17/20 US. Cl. 2:56-48 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention provides a novel fencing post or dropper whichcomprises a steel post, or a steel or aluminium dropper having a numberof longitudinally spaced transverse slots therein to accommodate fencingwires or mesh. A locking wire or rod extends the length of the postthrough the slots to retain the fencing wires in the slots and withinthe post or dropper.

This invention relates to improvements in fencing, and in particular toan improved steel post and the manner in which fencing wires, fabricatedfences, meshes and other posts are attached to such steel posts and toan improved dropper and the attachment of the wires or meshes thereto.

At the present, the steel posts used extensively for fencing have aplurality of preformed holes through which either the fencing wires maybe individually fed or else short wires to support the already erectedfencing wires or meshmay be twitched. As the holes in the posts arepreformed for conventional fencing and the mesh spacing is different,the posts, in addition to causing time consuming threading through ofthe fencing wires and twitches, do not readily adapt for use withfencing mesh or for fabricated fences.

Pine posts are also used for fencing, the posts usually being powerdriven into the ground and the wires individually stapled to each post,so that once again erecting a fence is a time-consuming operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is toprovide a steel post and/or dropper which assists in the rapidconstruction of fences, which is simple and economical in use. Thepresent invention also provides an improved clamping device whereby saidposts may be readily joined together.

According to the present invention there is provided a post and/ ordropper formed of steel plate and preferably having transverse elongatedslots at longitudinally spaced intervals for the reception of fencingwires, the slots being located on an angle, curve or bend of the postand/0r dropper so that a second locking rod or wire of similar gauge maybe accommodated between the fencing wires and the steel plate of theangle curve or bend.

Although for use with fencing wires, the slots are horizontal, when usedwith fencing mesh the slots may be inclined at an angle to thehorizontal so that the angled wires of the fencing mesh are more readilyaccommodated.

The transverse slots may be formed by punching, milling or otherwisecutting a transverse opening from the post. Alternatively, holes may bepunched in the post at the location of the angle, curve or bend, thematerial of the post transversely indented or grooved so as toaccommodate the fencing wires, the indenting or grooving processelongating the holes so that they extend from one side of the recess soformed to the other, thereby forming an opening to accommodate thelocking wire or rod.

In another modification, a series of two or four slits per slot are cut,and the material of the post deformed, either, in the case of the twoslits, by being pressed inwardly of the post, or in the case of the fourslits, by the two outermost bands being pressed outwardly of the post,the central inner band either being untouched or else pressed inwardlyof the post. It will be apparent that the two-slit modification resultsin the same effect as achieved by the milling or otherwise cutting, withthe exception that the retention of the post material within the postavoids any sharp edges which may cut into the fencing wires. In thefour-slit modification, the two outwardly extending bands support thefencing wires therebetween, the two bands also providing the plateagainst which the locking wire or rod is located.

In yet another modification, the slots are each formed by cutting outone or two tabs, the fencing wire either resting thereon ortherebetween, the tabs having a hole punched therein to locate thelocking wire or rod.

The present invention also provides a clamping bracket, which may beeither fiat, or angled whereby two of said posts may be positivelyclamped together, either at right angles or adjacent each other.

When used as a post, the plate is preferably shaped to provide atriangular cross-section, with the apex accommodating the transverseslots being curved. The longitudinal wall which forms the side oppositethis apex is preferably partly open (formed by turning the two edges ofthe strip forming the post inwardly towards each other, without actuallymeeting). This open-back to the post allows access to the locking rod orwire so that should it bow or bend during insertion, it is possible toquickly guide it into the desired position between the plate and thefencing wires.

The open-back also prevents water from being trapped in the otherwisehollow post, and so greatly reduces the possibility of rusting of thesteel plate.

The open-back may also be used to accommodate the shank of a boltagainst which a clamping plate is anchored, as for example when clampingthe post to one end of a cross-bar used to equalise the strain on an endpost. The two inwardly directed edges or arms act to hold a clampingplate in position, the bolt passing through the clamping plate andcross-bar to be tightened by a nut, preferably against the cross-bar.

The clamping bracket is used in conjunction with the open-backed post,the clamping bolt passing through the bracket and tightening against aclamping plate held within the fence post by the two arms. When an anglebracket is used, the two fence posts are positioned adjacent each other,with their open-backs at right angles. By clamping the two poststogether, a rigid corner or end structure is obtained, fencing Wiresbeing led from the front slot of each post to form wire fences at rightangles to each other.

A similar right-angled clamping bracket may be used to join an end postto a similar profiled cross-bar, this time the bracket preferablyfitting within the cavity of the vertical post.

As well as using similar profiled steel bars as the top cross-bar forbracing two or three end posts, the profiled steel bars and even woodenbars may also be used, in conjunction with vertical posts to form apost-and-rail fence, without any fencing wires. This is extremelyimportant for end structures in, for example, cattle ramps. The bolt isclamped either directly to the wooden bar, or by means of a straightclamping bracket to a profiled steel bar, and then into the clampingplate behind the two arms of the vertical post gap. This arrangement mayalso be used in cross-bracing two end posts, in such case, anglebrackets being slid into appropriate positions along the two end poststo be braced, and the cross-brace structure allowing for out-of-linepositioning of said posts.

If desired, a combined post, wire and rail fence can be constructed, therails being used on the top and possibly, in the case of sheep yards, onthe sides of the posts, mainly to add strength to the fence structureand so prevent excess pressure being placed on the wires by the sheepwithin the yard pushing as a single body.

A curved backing plate may be used in conjunction with the clampingbracket and/or the clamping plate to prevent spreading of the arms ofthe steel posts, and to act as stilfeners.

If three posts are used in the end bracing of a fence, the cross-bar maybe attached to the central post by means of a bracket which is clampedto the vertical post as before but has a flat horizontal surface whichfits inside the top of the vertical post, and through which a bolt ispassed to engage in a nut and/or plate held between the arms of thecross bar.

The locking wire or rod may be used as an anchor wire around which thefencing wires may be turned and then twisted and so keyed to themselves.This is of particular importance when it is desired to erect an endstructure of the fence with the anchor posts being driven at rightangles. The end of the wires of the new fence may be threaded throughthe slot and about the locking wire or rod (preferably as a pre-formedloop into which the locking wire is threaded), then out the slot and theend twisted and keyed to the wire of the fence.

In such cases, it may be desirable to have the slots wider than normalso that the two sets of horizontal fencing wires may be accommodatedwith ease. Alternatively, a slot a spacing lower may be used for theother direction. It may also be desirable to have the top slot of eachpost and dropper wider so that barbed wire may be threaded therethrough.

The lower end of each post is preferably tapered, cut or otherwiseformed into a point for ease of driving into the ground.

When used for or with cross-bars, the posts need not be slotted forwire, and may be supplied in long lengths to be sawn to the lengthdesired.

The dropper may be a longitudinally curved or angled strip with theslots at the desired spacing. With such curved or angled strip, thedroppers may be readily stacked one inside the other for easy packagingand storage.

Preferably the posts and droppers are cold rolled from plate metalstrips, slots being blanked off before rolling the profile in acontinuous mill.

In use, the posts and droppers may be supplied in any desired length,usually lengths of '6" or 6. Sim ilarly the slots may be spaced at 1"intervals, preferably with a double-width slot at the top to accommodatebarbed wire, or as desired. One end of the post may be pointed tofacilitate insertion thereof into the ground. The posts are erected atthe desired positions, and then the fencing wires or mesh may be erectedand tensioned over a considerable distance, the individual wires beingslipped into the appropriate slots on the post, and then the lockingwire slid between the fencing wire and plate to prevent the fencing wirefrom escaping from the slots. Droppers may then be inserted atappropriate positions along the fence.

The top of the locking wire may be bent into the shape of a U,preferably prior to use and may be hooked over the top wire of the fencewithin the post. Alternatively, the top of the locking wire is twistedaround the top wire of the fence and keyed toit. The bottom of thelocking wire where it protrudes past the dropper is also keyed to thebottom fence wire.

If desired, additional fences, at right angles or other angles, to thefirst fence may be erected using the post according to the presentinvention as a corner post, and either threading the end of the fencingwires about the locking wire or rod, or more preferably, clamping thecorner post to an adjacent corner post, the two open backs thereofforming a right angle and being held together at two or three positionsby an angle clamping 'bracket. Likewise, the end post of the fence maybe joined to the other posts by a cross-bar at the top to equalise thetension strains, the cross-bar being bolted to each post by a clamp heldwithin the post. If the cross-bar has a similar profile to the post, aclamping bracket may be used to hold the cross-bars to each end post.

Thus it will be readily seen that the present invention provides asimple and non-time-consuming method of attaching fencing wires andcross-bars to posts. Further such fencing may be readily dismantled ifso desired, similarly without much effort or time lost.

But in order that the invention may be more clearly understood,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a post according to the invention, with the fencing andlocking wires in position;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section, showing how two posts of the typedepicted in FIGURE 1 may be clamped together;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are transverse sections through droppers according tothe present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view, similar to FIGURE 1 of a modified post according tothe present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a transverse section through another modification of a postaccording to the present invention.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, the post 1 is formed of steel plate, and having asubstantially triangular-cross-section. Along the apex of the triangle,a series of longitudinally spaced transverse slots 2 are cut so thatfencing wires 3 may be slipped therein, a locking rod or wire 4 beingled down the inside of the post 1 between the inner surface of the apexand the fencing wires 3 to retain the fencing wires within the slots 2.At the top of the post, the locking wire 4 is bent over in a U-shape toretain it within the post. Alternatively, as shown in FIGURE 6, it maybe twitched around the top fencing wire, as at 17.

At the side of the post remote the apex, there is a gap 6, which inaddition to allowing water to escape from within the post, also providesmeans whereby clamping bracket 7 and backing plate 8 may be affixed, viabolt 9 and nut 10 to a post 1. As shown in FIGURE 3, clamping bracket 7is right-angled and serves to support two posts at right angles to eachother-as for example at a corner in the fence. It will be appreciatedthat the clamping bracket 7 may also be merely a straight plate to jointwo posts side-by-side. Similarly the bracket may be used to clamp anypost according to the present invention.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show two possible cross-sections for droppers accordingto the present invention, the droppers 11 and 13 being provided withlongitudinally spaced transverse slots 12 and 14 respectively whichfunction in the same manner as slots 2 to accommodate the fencing wires3 therein, locking wires 4' and 4" retaining the fencing wires withinthe droppers.

Irr the modified post In shown in FIGURE 6, each slot has been formed bycutting four slits transversely in the apex of the post 111, andpressing the material between the upper two and lower two slitsoutwardly of the post so that there is formed a transverse recess 15 orslot to accommodate the fencing wire, and two loops 16 to accommodatethe locking wire, which may be twitched around the top fencing wire, asat 17.

In the modification shown in FIGURE 8, a tab 18 is cut from and bentoutwardly of the post 1b to form a ledge upon which the fencing wire 3bis supported. Preferably a second tab (not shown) is formed immediatelyabove tab 18 so that the fencing wire is located between the two tabs.Each tab 18 has a hole 19 therein through which the locking wire or rodis threaded to retain the fencing wire against the post 1b.

In a specific example, a 6 wide strip of gauge galvanized steel plate iscold-rolled to the required crosssection on a continuous mill, aplurality of elongated slots, about A4, x 1 /2" at 1" longitudinalspacings, and centrally of the strip being blanked off before rolling.The cross-section of the post is that of a triangle with a rounded apexwherein is located the elongated slots, base 2" and height 2%", with a1" gap centrally on the base. The posts may be cut off to a length 5'6"to 6', and their lower ends formed to a point.

The dropper may be a 2 /2" wide strip of 18 gauge galvanized steel oraluminium, having a central longitudinal right angle there along, and aplurality of slots, about 1 x 1 /2" at 1 longitudinal spacings. Thusfencing wire or mesh (normally 8-9 gauge and 12 /2 gauge respectively)may be threaded through the slots, and a locking wire of between 8 and12 /2 gauge slid between the fencing wire or mesh and the plate of thepost and/or dropper to form a positive anchor for the fencing wire ormesh.

The angle clamping bracket has two arms at right angles to each other,each arm being 2 /2" long and about 1 /2"2 high, and having a holedrilled through the centre thereof. The clamping plate fits neatlywithin the post profile and may be curved in line therewith.

A backing plate may be provided, said backing plate fitting snuglyaround the base of the post profile and extending slightly therebeyond.

Such posts are of sufiicient strength that only 2 per chain (i.e. 33.ft. spacings) need be used, thus comparing favorably with known posts.Dependent on the crop or animals to be enclosed by the fences, droppersmay be used between the posts to maintain the desired spacing of thefencing wires.

Thus the present invention provides a cheap and simple method forattaching fencing wires to posts.

It will be readily appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes arepossible both for the post and for the dropper.

I claim:

1. An elongated hollow fencing post of steel plate, said post having agenerally uniform, triangular cross-section throughout the length ofsaid post, with at least the apex thereof being rounded, said apexhaving transversely elongated, parallel slots at longitudinally spacedintervals therealong for receiving fencing wires, the depth of saidtransverse slots being such that said fencing wires can be retainedbetween said plate and a locking wire extending vertically downwardlywithin the confines of said apex, the base of said post opposite saidapex being formed with a longitudinal gap of sufiicient width to provideaccess for bolts for securing said post to a fixed supporting member.

2. The post of claim 1 wherein each of said slots is defined byvertically spaced horizontal tabs struck from the apex of said post,said tabs being formed with aligned openings for receiving said lockingwire thereby retaining said fencing wires on said post.

3. The post of claim 1 wherein each of said slots are defined by fourtransverse slits formed in said apex, the steel plate vertically definedby each pair of slits being pressed outwardly to form a loop forreceiving said locking wire.

4. The post of claim 1 wherein said slots comprise longitudinally spacedcuts in said apex.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,125,827 l/19l5 Faunt 256521,267,568 5/1918 McAlister 256-52 1,355,754 10/1920 Dickerson 256522,401,978 6/ 1946 Smith 25648 2,728,560 12/1955 Pals 256-48 FOREIGNPATENTS 225,594 12/1959 Australia.

DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 25 65 2

